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Gaming A "Welcome Event" At 2008 Olympics

GGL Global Gaming (GGL) has announced today they have been appointed the official partner and co-producer for making video games a "Welcome Event" at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. In the spirit of the Games, this event will allow gamers of all skill levels to compete for the opportunity to represent their country in a tournament hosted by GGL. A Grand Finals event will follow in Shanghai.

It's called "Digital Games," and GGL Chairman Ted Owen said it is "the ultimate elevation of gaming and the culture of gaming to the world stage." The official Digital Games site will launch on February 25, so check it out when it goes live. This information comes courtesy of Fortune and GGL China today, but the official announcement will soon arrive for North America.

“This is the moment that gamers have been waiting for: a galvanizing event that both celebrates and legitimizes the culture of videogames – the most prominent entertainment form for today’s generation,” said Frank Yong, CEO of GGL China. “[We] are pleased to be working with GGL to elevate videogames – the 99th Official Sport of China – to the world stage,” said Fong Hong, Honorary General Secretary of the China Internet Gaming Organising Committee. “Because of GGL’s global reach, content & community, brand recognition, technical capabilities, tournament expertise, strong ties with the gamer community and a rapidly growing Chinese presence, it was a natural fit when deciding who would be the perfect partner for this event.”

You know, back in the early days of the industry, we game lovers never would've expected this. But at this point, anybody who says video games aren't mainstream is simply living in the perpetual dark under a very large rock.